Warwick Grad Eager To Showcase Skills

Harrison Represents Peninsula Girls

Warwick's Sharonda Harrison hasn't been playing in any organized basketball leagues this summer. She's opted to play pickup games on area courts.

Several times per week, she hones her skills with friends and showcases her talents for those who happen to be waiting for the next game at Davis Middle School or Newsome Park.

But tonight at 6:30 will be one of her biggest games in the five years she's been playing the sport - the Virginia High School Coaches Association all-star girls basketball game at Hampton Coliseum.

Harrison, on the East team, is the only Peninsula District player in the girls game for recently graduated seniors.

``It's an honor,'' said the 18-year-old, who was named to the Peninsula District first team. ``I was really surprised at my selection, but I'm going to go out there and play the best I can.''

Harrison will attend Norfolk State University in the fall and hopes to walk on the basketball team. A summer program she has attended the last three years at Thomas Nelson Community College has helped prepare her for majoring in computer science, emphasizing computer engineering.

Kempsville's Charlotte Fayton, who will be a scholarship player for Norfolk State and could be Harrison's teammate there, will be on the East team, and Harrison looks forward to that. Harrison also has played with other East team members from the Eastern Region in summer leagues over the years.

``But this will be different, I think,'' she said. ``These are the best seniors in the state, and that's amazing.''

The 5-foot-8 Harrison started her senior season at point guard for Warwick, but she was eventually moved to forward and made significant contributions for the Raiders (10-11) in the paint. She was named the team's most valuable player and led it in scoring, averaging 13.8 points. She finished with 1,117 career points. She added 893 career rebounds, 94 assists and 125 steals.

Harrison also helped Warwick make the transition to coach Wanda Marinke, who came to the Raiders last season from King and Queen but moves to Denbigh next season. Marinke is one of the East coaches in the all-star game.

Marinke recognized Harrison's contributions and realized that having a solid, vocal senior leader was important in her first year at Warwick. That Harrison never shied from hard work was a plus.

``Sharonda made my job a little easier,'' Marinke said. ``She was so versatile, and she really loves the game. She was willing to do anything the team needed and play anywhere the team needed her to play.

``It's going to be nice coaching her one last time.''

Harrison's versatility was evident in her ability to move from the point to the post. She said she enjoyed playing the post for ``the contact'' and went on to average just under 11 rebounds.

``I would have done anything for the team,'' Harrison said. ``The season was good, but it could have been better. I wanted to help the team get to the championship and into the Eastern Region tournament my last season, but it didn't happen. But it was still a success.''